Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-08-13
DEMOCRATIC IDENTIFICATION,


publicans and the newspaper organs of
their party are predicting that the defeat
OF prohibition will divide the Democratic
party in Texas. This is the position OF
the Globe-Democrat and lesser stalwart
lights. OF course, the wish is father to
the thought. 1t Is in order to inquire
how such result could come about. A
split in the Democratic party doesn't
tangent. A splinter may be heWn
split. The same homely illus
tration holds good with q
faction. great party, like the Democ-
lions and still not be "split." 1t Is PROB
but the solid timber of the party will re-
gain. Its symmetry will only be the
more apparent.
But suppose the effort should be made,
by the enemies of Democracy, to divide
it., and certainly none but it's enemies
would attempt such thing, where
would the seceders 90 with any
to form party by themselves or make
COlDDlhhLlOu Will IlOSC VI 6UObuCI pOlIlI-
cal faith. A majority Of $50, GOO is q large
thing to tackle. There would have to be
an immense upheGval to overcome it, yet
that is precisely what any man or set Of
men must accomplish in order to success
fully split the Democratic party Of Texas.
Is it probable that any disaffected faction
of Prohibitionists are either strong enough
in themselves to accomplish such an end,
or can become strong enough by any pos
sible combination to do so?
The third party idea will not work. 1t
might draw the disaffeCted from both the
Democrats and Republicans, but can an
anti-prohibition Republican unite with
a prohibition Democrat, or vice versa?
The object Of such coalition, on the
part OF Prohibitionists, would be to Sc
cure prohibition amendmentto the con-
stitution. Would Republicans who voted
with the Democrats against such an
amendment stultify themselves by going
into such 8 combination? Not if they
were honest in voting as they did on
August 4, and yet, why should their
organs be 80 jubilant over what they say
is prospective Democratic division? Civ
ing them credit for sincerity, the case is
plain that only combination Of Probi-
bitionists from both parties can form
anything like an effective working party
against Democracy. Let such dissffacted
factions go together, and even then would
the Democracy be divided to it's damage?
A glance at few figures may throw me
light on the subjsct. The Democratic
vote of the state, IN round numbers is
about 235, ZOO; the Republican vote is
approximately, IS, 900. The basis of this
estimate is the vote cast at the last
state election. Accordingjto these figures
the Democrats are entitled to majority
over the Republicans Of 1877 600. By some
extraordinary means, the Republicans
must raise their vote about IS 900 before
they can overcome the Democratic ma
about sos. coo. That the Democrats will
lose $4,000 Totes, on account of prohibit
! ton, or even third OF that number, is
Incredible. Besides, should any
considerable part Of the Re,
publicans attempt a coalition with
the prohititionists, large number
who voted against the amendment will
resent such movement by voting with
the Democrats. There will be a healthy
accession to the Democratic ranks from
the anti-prohibition Republicans anyhow.
The German vote next year will surprise
some of the Republican managers.
1t doesn't lock like there would be any
thing like split in the Democracy, and
the ardent organs of the Republicans
would better attempt something easier
than to spend their time and labor on such
q fruitless task.